WHITEMARSH — In 2011, a proposed project came before the Shade Tree Commission as well as the Board of Supervisors, where a property owner Will Bast would be doing certain projects and developments on his property located at 308 Williams Rd.

Bast was removing certain foliage on his three and a half acre property and therefore had to get a permit and also come to an agreement with the Shade Tree Commission to have a particular number of trees and plants in his yard still.

The ordinance for replanting originally called for Bast to plant 979 caliper inches of trees which includes flowering trees, shrubs, evergreens and shade trees. However, the Shade Tree Commission took into consideration the owners’ property’s limitations and was able to negotiate the number of caliper inches down to 203 in March of 2011.

Yet, at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Thursday, Bast approached the board once again and asked for a waiver from the originally agreed upon number. He now wants the reduction of 203 down to 128 caliper inches of trees.

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“The problem is planting shade trees under shade trees.There’s just no place to put them and still have a yard,” said Bast.

Bast also went before the Shade Tree Commission to a meeting earlier in the month and the commission once again revisited the property and took into the consideration the owner’s dilemma.The group was willing to possibly negotiate the caliper inches to the owner’s desire. However, the owner had already begun planting 94 inches of caliper trees that were not in the approved landscaping agreement from 2011.

Another issue that arose was the time period set in place. Bast believed that he could get a new agreement and have 18 months to complete the rest of the planting, while E.J. Lee, assistant township manager, recorded that all 128 caliper inches would need to be planted before a new agreement could be set forth.

The Board of Supervisors decided to table the issue until more information was provided from the Shade Tree Commission, possible pictures of the property, as well as a meeting with C. Dennis Metz, consulting certified arborist.

Bast was outraged with the issue being tabled as well as the confusion. He wants the waiver in order to get an occupancy permit so that a mortgage can be applied for.

“The 203 plan doesn’t add property value.It diminishes it. Trees are not always an asset. I’m staggered that there’s a discrimination against people living in the woods versus somebody that starts off with an open field. It’s unbelievable,” said Bast.